Sport training equipment

ABSTRACT

A system for recording and analyzing an activity, such as a golf activity, is provided. The system comprises an impact detection device and one or more video capture unit for recording and displaying recorded activities. Preferred activities are saved, and may be viewed at a separate viewing unit located remote from the video capture unit. The remote viewing unit allows for replay and analysis of the saved activities. In addition, saved activities and data may be uploaded to the Internet for later viewing and analysis.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/326,470, filed Jul. 9, 2014, entitled “SPORT TRAININGEQUIPMENT”, which claims priority to provisional application Ser. No.61/843,919, entitled “SPORT TRAINING EQUIPMENT”, filed Jul. 9, 2013, thespecifications of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to sport training, and moreparticularly, to system and method of capturing the video of swingmotion in sports of hitting a ball by a player, for analysis andtraining.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Participation in many sports involves repeating certain motions over andover again. The consistent ability to perform these motions in aparticular way is usually critical to good performance in the sport.Different methods have been found to help participants develop theability to repeatedly move in a certain way. Increasingly, technology isbeing used in such methods to improve performance in sports.

Video image analysis is an important part of modern sports training. Theability to see oneself perform a motion helps an individual identifyflaws in technique and correct them. Furthermore, video image analysistechniques can be applied to video of a sports motion to help identifyaspects of a motion that need changing or identify aspects of a motionperformed correctly for positive feedback.

Taking tennis as an example, a tennis player's swing technique iscritical to their ability to play different strokes like forehandtopspin, backhand volley, serve, and variety of other strokes. Over theyears, a preferred tennis swing technique for various strokes has beenidentified and most tennis players strive to model their swings asclosely as possible to the preferred technique. Video image analysis hasbeen used in tennis to improve tennis player's swings. Appropriate swinganalysis can contribute to an improvement in the player's skill.

A straightforward form of video image analysis of a tennis sport forexample, is simply to record a tennis player's swing for ground stroke,volley, or a serve, and watch it back to identify flaws that cannot bediscerned by the player themselves or by a tutor. Video footage can bepaused so that individual frames showing a particular swing position canbe analyzed.

Another analysis method is to display a player's tennis swing next tothat of another, to more easily identify differences compared to a modelswing. Some existing methods involve synchronizing the two swings sothat corresponding swing positions are shown together, which makescomparison easier.

When capturing video footage of a tennis swing for example, there may bea large amount of footage recorded either side of the swing itself, forexample when a player is preparing to serve. Such footage is largelyredundant and can make it difficult to quickly identify the actual swingmotion and may take up precious memory space in the case of storeddigital video data. It is therefore desirable to extract segments ofvideo footage that contain just the swing motion for various strokes.

Some existing methods of golf swing video analysis achieve these aims,i.e. extraction of a segment of video containing a golf swing oridentification key swing positions, or both.

Examples of such existing methods are: Manually examining the videoswing footage and identifying the segment showing the tennis swing andframes showing key motion positions. This is time intensive as itrequires a user to look through all the video footage.

Detecting the noise of impact to identify the moment of impact has beendisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,537,076 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,567,536. Therest of the swing is assumed to be within a certain time either side ofthis moment. This method requires an audio detection device working withthe video capture device. This method will not reliably work when thereis noise in the environment. For example, when other players are playingtennis in adjacent tennis courts, the sound of impact can be falselydetected due to another player's stroke.

Using other types of sensor to detect parts of the swing, for examplepressure mats, are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2006/0281060. However,this method may apply only for sport like golf and will not apply forsport like tennis, where the player needs to move from one position toother.

U.S. Pat. No, 8,020,098 B2 discloses an impact detection unit comprisingof microphone which is placed near the player. This invention may workonly in sports where the player is not moving around. This may not workall the time for all types of sport involving a player hitting a ball,for example tennis.

A variety of devices are known in the art that can measure parametersassociated with a swing motion of a sport. These devices generallyrequire that a player take swings at a ball while being monitored bylaunch monitors, video devices and other measuring devices. However,such devices suffer from several deficiencies. Foremost among these iscost. Some types of launch monitors generally use radar technology inconjunction with the Doppler effect to measure the speed and position ofthe swing and ball. These launch monitors must be capable of emittingthe precise type of radar necessary, as well as analyzing the shift infrequency due to the Doppler effect, in order to provide usefulinformation to the player. The launch monitors therefore tend to beexpensive, and can be especially cost prohibitive for amateur players.In addition, launch monitors can require professional calibration andset up to be able to obtain accurate information.

One such system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No, 7,736,242 B2. Such systemsare integrated and embedded within the sport equipment. Hence thesesystems cannot be used for monitoring swing motion of any other sports.

Hence there is a need in the art for a system and method that wouldallow amateur and professional players alike to be able to capture andanalyze various aspects of their swings in an accurate and costeffective manner. The training devices should be such that it can bereliably used for any sport involving an impact to the sport equipment.Players should be able to use already-owned and/or everyday-usedportable electronic devices as a training device. There is also a needthat a user should be able to use the same training device to monitorthe swing motion of various sports like tennis, squash, golf, cricket,baseball, basketball and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is one object of the invention to provide an improved and costeffective device for analysis of a swing of a game device of a user.

Accordingly, a system is provided for recording, viewing and analyzingtennis swings or the like. The system starts out with a portable videoimage capture unit, preferably in the nature of a smartphone, having atleast one digital camera for recording swings. Upon activation, thedigital recording means continuously records in a loop. A swing sensor,based on an impact trigger, directs the recording means to save abracketed portion of the video, and to save it temporarily. The videoimage is then played back on a video screen portion of the unit, for theuser to see. The user is then given the option of saving the swing forlater viewing and analysis. Depending on the player's choice, the savedswing is then sent electronically to a remote site for furtherprocessing and storage. In addition, the viewing unit preferably hasmeans for converting the video images, which may be saved by the captureunit in PEG format, into MPEG format. The MPEG files are thenautomatically, or at the direction of the user, uploaded to the Internetvia the viewing unit. The uploaded MPEG image foes are then savedoff-site. The user can then access the saved images at a remote PC orother web-enabled device. The image files are then viewable through aknown media viewing application software.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatusfor use in detecting and analyzing a swing of a game device comprising:

-   a first component being an impact detection device, shaped and    arranged to be attached to the game-   device, the component including:-   an impact sensing sensor;-   a power supply;-   a communication system for wireless communication with an exterior    device;-   and a second component being a portable camera device, including:-   a camera supporting video recording or snapshots;-   a compatible wireless communication system to send and receive    signals to/from the impact detection device;-   and an application program running on the portable camera device to    receive information relating to the-   signals from the impact detection device and to process the signal o    capture video recording of only the-   swing motion.

The impact detection device can be attached to the sport equipment,preferably the sport equipment is a tennis racket. However the samearrangement can be applied to other game devices such as golf clubs,baseball bats, cricket bats and other such devices intended to impact agame element such as a ball. The impact detection device can also beattached to other sport equipment like surfboard, skateboard, archerytarget board, basketball backboard, basketball net or the like. Theimpact detection device can be inserted as a sliding fit into the openend of a shaft of the game device or it can be attached to any otherlocation which allows it to move with the device. The impact sensingdevice may include a housing which is easily removable from the gamedevice and is transportable. The impact detection device can also beworn in the wrist while playing volleyball or can be attached to theleg/shoe while playing soccer for example.

The impact sensing device of one aspect is a stand-alone unit, and thusincludes a housing. The housing is rugged to survive rigorous sportingactivity. Preferably, the housing provides a universal interface whichpermits mounting of the unit to a variety of sports equipment, forexample, onto a tennis racket, cricket bat, golf club, player's wrist,and the like. The universal interface is preferably a conformal surfacewhich conveniently permits mounting of the sensing unit to a pluralityof surfaces, e g., a flat surface such as a cricket bat, and a round barsuch as on a tennis racket handle or baseball bat.

Preferably there is provided an arrangement for detecting the timing ofan impact and wherein the application program is arranged to record thevideo image within a window on each side of the sensing of an impact.

Preferably the impact sensing sensor is a motion sensor to sense changein orientation, position, velocity, angular velocity, acceleration,angular acceleration, or the like.

Preferably the wireless communication is effected by Bluetooth.

Preferably the portable camera device includes a touch screen.

Preferably the impact sensing device includes a housing which is easilyremovable from the game device and is transportable.

Preferably the housing includes a slot portion which engages around thegame device.

Preferably the Software is split into two parts: firmware that runs onthe impact detection device and a software application running on theportable camera device.

Preferably the application program running on the portable camera deviceis arranged to provide an input of the type of sport and recordingwindow time.

Preferably the firmware running on the impact detection device isresponsible for detecting the impact, and transferring the impactdetection signal wirelessly to the portable camera device and thesoftware running on portable camera device is responsible for start/stopvideo recording, capture video for swing motion, save it in localmemory, display of the captured swing motion, uploading the time stampedvideo to the internet.

Preferably the firmware running on the impact detection device can be inlow power mode whenever possible to save battery life.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be better understood with reference to the followingdrawings and description. The components in the figures are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustratingthe principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, likereference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout thedifferent views.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an example embodiment of sport swing videoimage recording system;

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of an example embodiment of sportswing video image recording system where multiple portable cameradevices are used to capture the sport motion using one impact detectiondevice;

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic diagram showing components provided inone example of an impact detection device according to an embodiment ofthis invention;

FIG. 4A-4I shows various example sports where the same impact detectiondevice can be attached to record video image of the sport swing orstroke for sport training purposes;

FIG. 5 illustrates an example flow chart of a process that may beperformed by an impact detection device in accordance with an embodimentof this invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic diagram showing components provided inone example of a portable camera device according to an embodiment ofthis invention;

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a system forobtaining video image capture of a tennis player's swing for analysis;

FIG. 8 illustrates an example flow chart of a process that may beperformed by the portable camera device in accordance with an embodimentof this invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates an example embodiment of a video image capturemethodology of the portable camera device;

FIG. 10 illustrates an example flowchart of a process that may beperformed by the sports application, running on the portable cameradevice, to capture a sport motion of a player using the impact detectionnotification from the impact detection device;

FIG. 11 illustrates example features that may be provided in and/orcontrolled by graphical user interfaces of portable camera device inaccordance with an example embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 12 illustrates an example portable camera device displayingrecorded video image of a sport motion;

FIG. 13A and 13B is an illustration of a strap, with integrated impactdetection device, attached to a sport equipment and wrist of a playeraccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a front elevational view of a strap, with integrated impactdetection device, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is an example circuit diagram of an acceleration sensor used forimpact detection;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an example embodiment of sport swing videoimage recording system 100. System 100 includes impact detection device106 and portable camera device 108. Impact detection device 106 and theportable camera device 108 communicate using a short range, low powerwireless communication protocol link 110, and form part of a wirelesspersonal area network (WPAN).

In operation of sport swing image video recording system 100, accordingto one embodiment of the invention, impact detection device 106 can beattached to an outside surface of racket system 102, or placed in aninternal cavity. According to an embodiment of the invention, the impactsensing device 106 can be attached to the racket system 102 using astrap, VELCRO, tape, adhesive or other means.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the same impactsensing device 106, may be attached to any other sport equipment likecricket bat, baseball bat, squash racket, badminton racket, basketballnet or the like, using straps, VELCRO, tape, adhesives or other means.According to another embodiment of the invention, the same impactsensing device 106, may also be attached to a player, for example usingstraps, VELCRO, tape, adhesives or other means to the player's wrist,arm or hip to detect impact with a ball in sports like volley ball, softball, soccer. Hence, a user playing different sports, can reuse thedisclosed video image recording system for plurality of sports. The userwill not need to buy separate monitoring system for individual sports,making the disclosed invention very cost effective.

The impact sensing device 106, according to preferred embodiment of theinvention, generates a trigger event which may be caused by impactbetween the sport equipment and the ball or the like. In accordance withone embodiment, the trigger event is sensed by a motion sensor sensingImpact to the sport equipment. The trigger event is then transmitted tothe portable camera device 108 over wireless link 110. The portablecamera device 108 uses the trigger event to capture a window of videoimage around the impact, thus capturing the swing or stroke motion.

According to one aspect of the invention, the portable camera 108, uponcapture of video image of sport motion involving impact with the sportequipment, can save the video in computer readable display format likePEG or MPEG or the like.

According to one embodiment of the invention, portable camera 108 cancomprise further interfaces, e.g. a GSM/3G or WiFi interface 112 to beconnected with a central server in wide area network 114 beingrepresented to be reached in the cloud/internet to conduct an offlineanalysis on the computer 118. The video images uploaded to internet, canbe downloaded by computer 118 using a GSM/3G or WiFi or Ethernetinterface 116. Such an offline analysis can also be achieved aftertransmittal of captured video data of the sports motion stored in theportable camera device 108, e.g. on a storage card 120 as an SD-card,which can be reached via a storage interface 122. The storage card 120can be read in a computer 118 to conduct said analysis.

One embodiment of the invention is presentation of the video through anInternet connection 112 such that a player may participate in a remotelesson. As such, the portable camera 108 might communicate to the remotestation 118 through an Ethernet, a wireless, or a TCP/IP protocolconnection 112 and 116. In yet other embodiments, the portable camera108 can download captured video to a hard disk, a floppy disc, a tapedisk, a CD, or any other recordable medium allowing the player orinstructor to download analysis information for later use.

According to one embodiment of the invention, a sports application 126will run on the portable camera device 108. The role of this applicationwill be to establish a wireless link with impact sensing device 106, tosend commands and configuration parameters to 106, to receive impactdetection notifications from 106, to record video image of the sportsmotion, to upload video image to internet and the like.

According to one embodiment of the invention, more than one portablecamera device 108 may be used simultaneously to capture, from differentviewing angles, the sport motion involving an impact of the sportequipment with a sport ball or the like. This may be done to view thesame stroke from different angles and to better assist the player inimproving the sport performance. FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic diagramof such an example embodiment where two portable camera devices 108 aand 108 b are used to capture the sport motion using one impactdetection device 106. In such an embodiment, the impact detection device106 may transmit the impact notification data to both the portablecamera device 108 a and 108 b, to which it is wirelessly connected bythe link 110. According to one aspect of the invention, the impactdetection device 106 may multi-cast the impact notification to each ofthe wirelessly connected portable camera device 108, at the same time.According to another aspect of the invention, the impact detectiondevice 106, may unicast the impact notification individually to each ofthe plurality of wirelessly connected portable camera device 108.

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic diagram showing components provided inone example of an impact detection device 106 according to an embodimentof this invention. As illustrated, impact detection device 106 includesa processor 302, impact sensor 306, power supply unit 310, memory 304,and a short-range, low power wireless transceiver 308.

Processor 302 is a conventional processor such as, for example, amicrocontroller capable of implementing application programs stored inmemory 304. Processor 302 is coupled to memory 304, impact sensor 306,and short-range, low power wireless transceiver 308. In someembodiments, impact sensor 306 may connect to the processor 302 througha conditioning electronics unit 312.

Memory 304 is used to store firmware program instructions and data. Inan embodiment, memory 304 stores programs, for example, used to make awireless connection with the portable camera device 108, to detectimpact and send impact notification to portable camera device 108. In anembodiment, memory 304 includes both read only memory and random accessmemory. In addition, memory 304 may store timestamps of impact.

Impact sensor 306 is a sensor that detects when an impact is madebetween the sport equipment, to which the impact sensing device 108 isattached to, and a ball or the like. In an embodiment of the invention,the impact sensor 306 may also provide information related to extent ofimpact. The motion sensors may for example include an accelerometer, arate gyroscope, magnetometer, and potentially other sensors to detectmotion, position or orientation.

A preferred embodiment of the impact sensor 306 is a motion sensormounted, on a rigid surface. In a further embodiment of the presentinvention, the motion sensor can be mounted on a target pad and providesan analog output indicative of the characteristic of an object impactingthe target pad. When the motion sensor vibrate due to impact to thesport equipment, the sensor produces an electrical voltage signal, whichcan be detected and utilized to provide a tangible indication of theoccurrence and/or the force of the impact.

In one embodiment of the invention, the motion sensor 106 is operativelyconnected by wiring to an amplifier as part of conditioning electronicsunit 312. The amplifier can increase the signal produced by the motionsensor 306 to ensure the signal is distinguishable from any electricalnoise that may be present. After amplification, the signal can betransmitted to an analog to digital converter, also part of theelectronics conditioning unit 312, and sent to a processor 302. Theprocessor 302, upon detecting the impact signal, may send an impactnotification to the portable camera device 108 over the establishedwireless link.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the processor 302 mayconvert the input signal to a force value. The electric signal producedby the impact sensor 306, of the preferred embodiment, will have anamplitude that is a function of the force of the blow. The value of thisamplitude is received by the processor 302, which converts the amplitudeto a force value. This force value may then be preferably sent to aremote portable camera device 108.

In one embodiment of the invention, the voltage signals generated fromthe motion sensor can be passed to a front end amplifier, as part of theconditioning electronics 312, which can comprise a MOSFET or JFETamplifier in a voltage follower configuration. The input impedance ofthis voltage follower can be adjusted so that a signal of the propervoltage level is coupled to the next stage. Its offset voltage is alsoadjustable to obtain preferably a zero offset voltage. The front endamplifier can be designed to match the transducer signals and circuitryto the downstream detector circuitry, and can be readily selected fromwell known circuitry. This matching capability is desirable because theoutput from the motion sensor can vary with different sport.

In another embodiment of the invention, the voltage signal generatedfrom the motion sensor can be passed to a front end amplifier and thento the next stage which is a peak detector, as part of the conditioningelectronics 212. The peak detector is basically a rectifying circuitthat detects the peak voltage of the incoming signal in response to thestrength of the blow delivered to the motion sensor. The voltage outputof the peak detector is able to hold in known fashion for a short timeto allow the processor 202 to capture the peak value, indicative of thevelocity of the blow applied. The holding time can be adjusted by thetime constant of a capacitor and resistor network in the peak detectorat the output end.

In another embodiment of the invention, the output of the motion sensoris directed to a voltage comparator, as part of the conditioningelectronics 312. The output of the voltage comparator is a function ofthe difference between the voltage generated by the motion sensor andanother predetermined threshold value. Only signals exceeding thethreshold values are passed on the other being discarded. The signalfrom the comparator can be sensed by the processor 312 as a function ofthe magnitude of the force of an impact.

Wireless transceiver 308 is a short range, low-power transceiver used tocommunicate with the portable camera device 108. In a preferredembodiment, transceiver 308 operates in an unlicensed frequency bandsuch as 24 GHz using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) wireless communicationprotocol. As used herein, the term transceiver means a combination of atransmitter and a receiver. In an embodiment, the transmitter and thereceiver are integrated and form, for example, a part of an integratedcircuit. In other embodiment, transceiver 308 can be a WiFi, Zigbee, ANTor other short range, low power wireless transceiver.

Power supply unit 310 is used to provide power to operate the variouscomponents of impact sensing device 106. In an embodiment, power supplyunit 310 can either be a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeablebattery that must be periodically replaced or a solar cell. A battery,preferably secured to the piece of athletic equipment in a non-contactarea, is used to provide the power necessary to amplify, process, storeand/or transmit the information received from the impact. The powersupply unit 310, in one embodiment of this invention, can have a switch,not shown in FIG. 2, for the user to turn on and off the power supply tothe components of the impact sensing device 106. When the impact needsto be monitored by the portable camera device 108, for video imagecapture, the power supply switch can be turned on and when the impactmonitoring is done, the power supply switch can be turned off to savepower.

In another embodiment of the invention, the impact sensing device 106can include low power mode of operation, and may not have any switch forcontrolling the power supply. The impact sensing device 106 can alwayshave power supply from the power supply unit 310, and it can enter lowpower mode by de-activating the wireless transceiver 308 when no impactis detected. The impact sensing device 106 may wakeup and activate thewireless transceiver 308 only when an impact is detected. Aftertransmitting the impact notification to portable camera device 108, theimpact sensing device 106 can go back to low power mode.

In preferred embodiment of this invention, the impact sensing device 106can be a standalone dedicated device with an attachment device. Theattachment device can be used to clip the apparatus to a racket, to golfclub, to a cricket bat, to a baseball bat, to a wrist band, or the like.It should also be understood that any suitable attachment device may beincorporated into the apparatus. For instance, in other embodiments, theattachment device may comprise an adhesive, a strap such as a wristband,or the like.

In yet another embodiment of this invention, the impact sensing device106 can consist of a custom made printed circuit board and a plasticenclosure using a TI CC2540 2.4 GHz Bluetooth Low Energy System-on-ChipSolution with 256 KBytes program flash and 8 KBytes of RAM, which isconnected to a motion sensor, 3-axis accelerometer LIS2DH, bySTMicroelectronics. This System-on-chip solution has a processor 302,memory 304, Bluetooth

Low Energy (BLE) transceiver 308 integrated. The impact sensing unit canbe supplied with power by a 3.7 Volt lithium-polymer rechargeablebattery (310).

In yet another embodiment of this invention, the impact sensing device106 can comprise of a double-sided printed circuit board. The BluetoothLow Energy (BLE) transceiver 308 and the motion sensor can be mounted onone side, e.g. the top layer, while the microcontroller 302 and theanalog circuits can be provided on the other side, e.g. on the bottomlayer.

In one embodiment of this invention, in order to provide for prolongedbattery lifetime of the impact sensing device 106 can be adapted forlow-power operation. The analog sensor circuit 306 and the processor 302can be put into low-power mode most of the time to reduce the overallpower consumption. As a result, the biggest part of the power budget isassigned to the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) module 308. By duty-cyclingthe Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) module 308 when connected, the totalcurrent drawn of the impact sensing device 106 can be reducedsignificantly. To prevent a sudden power failure, the battery voltagecan be measured continuously and displayed on the portable camera device108.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the impact sensing device106 is generally enclosed by an appropriate housing 314, such as aplastic injected molded housing known in the art. The housing 314 isrugged to withstand the elements such as snow, water and dirt. Thehousing 314 cooperate so as to provide an environmentally secureenclosure for the electronics such as the microprocessor 302 whileproviding an operable interface to communicate with the system. Thehousing 314 preferably includes a universal interface 316 which providesflexible and conformal mounting to a variety of surfaces, such as to therelatively flat surface of a cricket bat or to a round bar on a tennisracket. The universal interface 316 is designed to permit stand aloneunits 106 to be sold in stores regardless of how or where a user mountsthe unit, to sense impact during sport motion.

In an embodiment, the housing 314 of the impact detection device 106 maybe releasably attached to universal interface 316. In an alternativeembodiment, the housing 314 may be permanently fixed to or integrallyformed with the universal interface 316.

FIG. 4A-4I shows various example sports where the same impact detectiondevice 106 can be attached to record video image of the sport swing orstroke for sport training purposes. FIG. 4A-4I shows impact detectiondevice 106 being attached to various sport equipment or worn by playerto detect sport activity impact. FIG. 4A shows an impact detectiondevice 106 being worn in the wrist of a volley ball player 404 to detectthe impact when the player hit the volley ball 406. FIG. 4B shows animpact detection device 106 being attached to a cricket bat 410 todetect the impact when the bat hit the cricket ball 412. FIG. 4C showsan impact detection device 106 being attached to a golf club 418 todetect the impact when the club hit the golf ball 416. FIG, 4D shows animpact detection device 106 being attached to a baseball bat 422 todetect the impact when the bat hit the baseball 420. FIG. 4E shows animpact detection device 106 being attached to a surfboard 428 to detectthe impact when the surfboard hit the water 430. FIG. 4F shows an impactdetection device 106 being attached to an archery target board 432 todetect the impact when the arrow 434 hit the target board. FIG. 4G showsan impact detection device 106 being attached to a basketball backboard436 to detect the impact when the basketball 438 hit the backboard. FIG.4G also shows an impact detection device 106 being attached to abasketball net 440 to detect the impact when the basketball 438 hit thenet. FIG. 4H shows an impact detection device 106 being attached to askateboard 424 to detect the impact when the skateboard hit the ground426. FIG. 4I shows an impact detection device 106 being attached to aroller blade 442 to detect the impact when the roller blade hit theground 444.

FIG. 5 shows an example flowchart detailing a process 500 for an impactdetection device 106 to notify to the portable camera device 108, theoccurrence of an impact between the sports equipment with which it isattached and a ball or the like, in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention. The process 500 will be executed only after a wirelessconnection is established between the impact detection device 106 andthe one or more portable camera device 108. Process 500 begins at step502 when a determination is made if an impact is detected. If it isdetermined that an impact has occurred, then the processing proceeds tostep 504, otherwise, the processing goes back to step 502. At step 504,the impact detection device 106 will send the impact related informationto the one or more wirelessly connected portable camera device 108 overthe established wireless link. The impact information, according to anembodiment of the invention, can consist of a notification messageregarding occurrence of the impact and may also contain impact forcerelated information.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram 600 of an example portable camera device108 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In anembodiment, portable camera device 108 may include, but is not limitedto: a smartphone, a mobile phone, PDA device, a desktop computer,portable computer, tablet computer, a processor disposed in a digitalcamera, and/or any other device including a processor having at leastone camera and a sport motion capture operation mode. As shown in FIG.6, portable camera device 108 includes a processor 602, general purposevideo camera 604, memory 606, a user input control 616, a display 612,an audio unit 614, a short-range, low power wireless communicationtransceiver 608, acellular transceiver 610, and a power supply unit 618.

According to one embodiment, processor 602 is a conventional processorcapable of implementing application programs stored in memory 606,Processor 602 is also capable of implementing digital signal processingalgorithms. Processor 602 is coupled to digital camera 604, memory 606,user input control 606, display 608, audio unit 610 wirelesscommunication transceiver 608 and cellular transceiver 610.

According to one embodiment, camera 604 may be a high-speed cameracapable of recording audio and/or visual information. In some cases, thehigh-speed camera may record video images. In other cases, thehigh-speed camera may record multiple still images taken at a rapidrate. In one embodiment, the high-speed camera may capture informationat a rate from 600 to 1200 frames per second. In some cases, the cameramay capture information at a rate from 30 to 600 frames per second, Inanother embodiment, camera 604 may be either a high or a low resolutioncamera.

In still other cases, camera 604 may be configured to capturethree-dimensional images and/or video, For example, in some embodimentsa 3D camera including multiple lenses may be configured to capturethree-dimensional images and/or video. In another embodiment, multiplecameras may be disposed at different locations to capture differentviews of an object used to create composite three-dimensional imagesand/or video.

Memory 606 is used to store application program instructions and data.In an embodiment, memory 606 stores programs, for example, used toimplement all of the functionality of a typical smartphone, mobilephone, PDA or any other portable camera device and one or more programsused to implement aspects of the functionality of sport motion recordingsystem 100 described herein. In an embodiment, memory 606 includes bothread only memory and random access memory.

In another embodiment, the memory 606 can be a volatile memory such asDRAM. In this embodiment, DRAM is used as the memory of the processor602 and has 512 M bytes (or more) in capacity. Generally, size of videodata is relatively large and a hard disk device is used to store thevideo data transmitted from the camera 604. On the other hand, DRAM isquite higher than hard disk devices in access speed. In order to quicklywrite and read the video data, the processor 602 of this embodiment hasthe memory without a hard disk device.

In another embodiment of the invention, memory 606 may be any known typeof storage medium, including known magnetic or optical storage media,and may further include removable and/or portable media. For example, insome embodiments, storage medium 606 may include a portable memory cardor other storage medium that may have the player's captured image datastored upon it. The portable memory card or other storage medium may begiven to the player or coach for later retrieval or use.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the portable camera device108 will run a sports application 126 to capture video image of a sportswing motion. In accordance with aspects of the invention, typically thesports application will be a software application running on processor602. In accordance with an embodiment, the sports application uses thein-house camera 604 to record a physical motion. The physical motion canbe a swing, stroke, jump, throw, a catch or the like involving an impactwith the sport equipment. The sports application 126 will receive videosignals from the camera 604 and will also receive impact informationsignal from the impact sensing device 106, and will synchronize boththese signals to capture a window of video image of the sport motionaround the impact. The video image information is then used to providephysical motion correction and instruction.

User input control 616 is used by an individual to interact withportable camera device 108. In one embodiment of the invention, userinput control 616 can be used to control the sport application 126. Inan embodiment, user input control 616 includes a variety of inputbuttons and/or keys. The function of each of these buttons and/or keysis typically determined based on an operating mode of portable cameradevice 108. In one embodiment, user input control 616 includes a touchpad or scroll pad and/or touch screen buttons.

Display 612 is used to display video of the swing motion to a user, inan embodiment, display 612 is a liquid crystal display. In oneembodiment, the display 612 is configured to allow a user to view and/orinteract with image/video information obtained with system 100,including allowing a user to analyze captured information associatedwith the sport swing of a player. Display 612 may not be present in someembodiment of portable camera device 108.

Audio unit 614 is used to process audio signals. In an embodiment, audiounit 614 converts, for example, digital audio signals into amplifiedanalog audio signals that can be used to drive one or more speakers. Inan embodiment, audio unit 614 implements signal processing algorithmssuch as those available from Dolby Laboratories, Inc., which enhance thequality of music.

Wireless transceiver 608 is a short range, low-power transceiver used tocommunicate with impact sensing device 106. In a preferred embodiment,wireless transceiver 608 operates in an unlicensed frequency band suchas 2.4 GHz using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) wireless communicationprotocol.

Power supply unit 618 is used to provide power to operate the variouscomponents of portable camera device 108. In an embodiment, power supplyunit 618 can be a battery recharged periodically using a power adapterthat plugs into a typical household power outlet. Power supply unit 618can also be a non-rechargeable battery.

Cellular transceiver 610 is used to send and receive, for example, voicecellular telephone signals. Cellular transceiver 610 can also be used toexchange information with a computer network such as, for example, theInternet. As used herein, the term cellular transceiver means acombination of a cellular transmitter and a cellular receiver. In anembodiment, the transmitter and the receiver are integrated togetherinto a single device.

In one embodiment, cellular transceiver 610 can be used to uploadcaptured video data described herein to the internet, from where thesame data can be downloaded to a remote computer and analyzed, forexample, by a player or a coach. For example, the coach can watch theswing motion in real time. The portable camera device 108 cancontinuously upload the captured swing motion video data to the internetweb server. The coach of the player can, at any time, remotely log-infrom anywhere to the web server using a computer, and analyze the swingmotion.

Referring to FIG. 1, the impact sensing device 106 and portable cameradevice 108 establish a two way wireless communication 110 between themso that applications running on both devices may convey a range ofprogramming, status, command, impact related information and the like.The wireless connection will be established as per the wireless protocolfor the wireless technology being used. In a preferred embodiment of theinvention, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) wireless protocol can be used andthe connection for two way communication will be established as per theBluetooth Low Energy (BLE) standard. The impact sensing device 106 andthe portable camera device 108 will use the same wireless communicationprotocol.

According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the impactsensing device 106 will need to be initially authenticated, paired andbonded with the portable camera device 108. The portable camera device108 can utilize Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) wireless communicationtechnology for enabling a pairing with the impact sensing device 106.Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) wireless technology allows a device tointerpret respective Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) profiles. The BluetoothLow Energy (BLE) profiles specify applications and general operatingbehaviors so that Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) enabled devices canautonomously communicate with other Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) enableddevices and exchange information without a user initiating thecommunication. The Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) profiles utilize settingsto parameterize and control the communications between two Bluetooth LowEnergy (BLE) enabled devices from the commencement of the communication.The Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) profiles are efficient in saving timewithout having to repeatedly transmit parameters each time a previouslyestablished Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) enabled device is re-engaged forcommunication. The linking of two devices is known as pairing. Wheninitiating a link between two Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) enabled devicesfor the first time, a user is instructed to follow a respectiveprocedure which will establish a communication link between each device.During the procedure, the devices will exchange their Bluetoothaddresses and possibly other information. Each Bluetooth Low Energy(BLE) device has a unique device address that is commonly referred to asthe device Bluetooth Address. The Bluetooth addresses, and possiblyother information, are stored so that when the two Bluetooth Low Energy(BLE) devices initiate communication thereafter, the respectiveBluetooth Low Energy (BLE) devices will automatically establish acommunication link without having to pair again. As a result, one of thedevices will transmit advertisement events, which are basicallybroadcast inquiries for determining if any device in the vicinity is analready paired device that desires to utilize its services; however, aresponse to the communication will only be autonomously performed if thetwo enabled Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) devices have previously beenpaired.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a system 700for obtaining video image capture of a tennis player's swing foranalysis. The impact detection device 106 is attached to the tennisracket 704. The portable camera 108 is placed in a position to capturevideo image from a viewing angle facing towards the side of the tennisplayer 702. The portable camera device 108 is placed in a capture modeby running the sport application. Whenever the tennis player 702 strikesthe tennis ball 706, the impact detection device 106 will detect theimpact and send an impact notification signal over the wireless link 110to the portable camera device 108. Upon receiving the impactnotification signal from impact detection device 106, the sportapplication running on portable camera device 108 will capture a windowof video image of the strike and will save it in its permanent storage.The saved videos may be automatically uploaded by the sport applicationto the internet, for viewing and analysis later, using the interface 112or can later be viewed in the portable camera device 108 itself. Thesaved videos can also be transferred directly to a remote computer 118for viewing and analysis over wired or wireless link 124. The savedvideos can also be downloaded by remote computer 118 from the internetover the wired or wireless interface 116.

FIG. 8 shows an example flowchart detailing a process 800 for theportable camera device 108 to accomplish sports motion or swing videoimage capture of a sport player during impact between the sportequipment and the ball, in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention. The process 800 will be executed by the sport applicationrunning on the portable camera device 108 only after a wirelessconnection is established between the impact detection device 106 andthe portable camera device 108. Process 800 begins at step 802 when adetermination is made if an impact notification, indicating occurrenceof impact, is received from the impact detection device 106. If it isdetermined that an impact has occurred, then the processing proceeds tostep 804, otherwise, the processing goes back to step 802. At step 804,the portable camera device 108 will capture the video image frames ofthe sports motion during the impact (starting from some time before theimpact till some time after the impact). The process will then proceedto step 806 in which the captured video image will be saved in memoryfor future reference. The execution will then proceed back to step 802where the portable camera device 108 will wait for occurrence of animpact.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the videocapture system 108 includes at least one video recording devicetransmitting a video feed signal carrying video frame samples definingimage information. The video cameras of the portable camera device 108are positioned such that the front, side or rear view of a player iscaptured. The sports application 126 receives the video informationsignal and synchronizes the video information signal to the impactinformation signal.

In an embodiment, the image information signals coming from the camera604 might be time-stamped using an internal clock mechanism.

In order to determine which video frame samples should be captured, atrigger event system is used by the sports application 126. Thetriggering event signal relates the occurrence of a trigger event, whichprovides the reference point in time, i.e., the trigger event time, thatallows the sports application 126 to define a timing window foranalysis. The timing window may be defined by a start time equal to thetrigger event time minus a predetermined period, e.g., 3 seconds, and anend time equal to the trigger event time plus a predetermined period,e.g., 3 seconds. The data collected within the timing window is markedand stored for analysis and/or playback. If the collected data from thevideo camera 604 falls outside the timing window, then it is discardedout of the video capture buffers. The trigger event may be caused byimpact between the sport equipment and a ball detected by the impactsensing device 106 mounted on the sport equipment or worn by the player.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example embodiment of a video image capturemethodology of the portable camera device 108. In accordance with anembodiment of the present invention, the video image frame samples 904a-n received from camera 604 identified with the time stamp are storedin a video sample buffer memory 902. In accordance with an embodiment,the sample frame buffer 902 hold only the stamped video image frames 904for a limited amount of time. The sample buffer 902 is preferablydesigned as first-in, first-out (FIFO) buffers. Accordingly, once thebuffer memory 902 is full, earlier samples are erased as new samples arereceived by the buffer. Buffer memory 902 continue storing video imageframes 904 until the time period defined by the timing window isexpired. Once expired, the information is marked and stored to disk oranother portion of memory 606 to be used during analysis.

In accordance with an embodiment, the sports application 126 continuecollecting video frames 904 until the timing window expires.Continuation of the information collection by the sports application 126ensure that information related to the follow-through swing of theplayer is collected. In an alternative embodiment, the sportsapplication 126 may terminate video frame collection once a triggerevent is sensed.

Upon completion of the trigger countdown, the video capture is stopped.Once the collection and compilation of data is completed, e.g., timingwindow completed, by the sports application 126, the stored video framedata samples 904 stored in the buffer 902 are converted to MPEG formatand stored in permanent memory for later use.

In one embodiment of the invention, the sports application 126, mayreceive a measure of the impact force, between sport equipment and theball, in the impact detection notification message sent by the impactdetection device 106. The sports application may store the impact forceinformation for each stroke along with the corresponding recorded videofor future reference.

Input control 616 is operably connected to the sport application module126 and may be used to control the selection, operation, and appearanceof analysis information in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. For instance, the input control 616 may control the timeduration of the capture window. If the player only wants stroke videodisplayed on the display 612, such a request is preferably made throughthe input control 616. Likewise, the input control 616 might allow theplayer or instructor to control a video playback of the sport swing. Inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the inputcontrol 616 might be responsible for complete control of user selection,activation, operation, and termination of the sport application 126.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example flowchart 1000, according to anembodiment of the invention, of the said sports application 126capturing a sport motion of a player using the impact detectionnotification from the impact detection deice 106. The process 1000begins at step 1002 where the sports application 126, capture a videoframe and store the time stamped frame 904 in a buffer as detailed inFIG. 9. In accordance with an embodiment, the buffer 902 is a circularbuffer having space for 120 video frames. In accordance with alternativeembodiments, the circular buffer 902 may have space for any number offrames depending upon the desired length in time of the capture of asingle swing or stroke. Data is stored in the buffer for a predeterminedperiod of time so that if an impact information signal is not receivedfrom the impact detection device 106 in the predetermined time period,it will be overwritten since data in the buffer is stored in first in,first out basis. The operation flow will proceed to step 1004 where adetermination is made whether an impact detection notification has beenreceived from the impact detection device 106. If no notification isreceived, then the process will go back to step 1002 where the nextframe will be captured, otherwise, it will proceed to step 1006. If theoperation 1004 detects an impact event, then operation flow passes tostep 1006 where a timing window is set to allow video frame data samplesassociated with the player's follow-through to be collected followingdetection of an impact. The process will then proceed to step 1008 wherevideo frame capture will continue. At step 1010, a determination will bemade if the countdown time has expired or not. If the predeterminedcountdown time has not expired, the process will go back to step 1008where video frame capture will continue, otherwise, the flow willproceed to step 1012. In step 1012, the video frame capture process isterminated and the captured video frames 904 present in circular buffer902 are stored in storage memory for later use in a format like MEG orMPEG suitable for presentation to the player. The process 1000 will thengo back to step 1002, where it will start capturing the video frames forthe next stroke or swing.

In accordance with other embodiments, the predetermined countdown timeperiod is set in step 1006 to a finite time period other than zero uponoccurrence of impact event. In a specific embodiment, the predeterminedtime period is set by a countdown timer that counts video frame datasamples. After 20 video frame data samples have been captured followingan impact event, the video frame sample acquisition processes can beterminated. This specific configuration results in a 100-framepre-trigger circular buffer.

According to one aspect of the invention, the individual videos for eachcaptured swing motion can be put together in a single JPEG or MPEG file,which can be automatically uploaded by the sports application 126running on portable camera device 108, to the Internet, for laterretrieval at a remote site via the world wide web. The MPEG files maythen be saved on a more permanent basis via a dedicated server. Itshould be noted that other formats and methods for capturing, storingand displaying video images may also be used, such as so-calledstreaming video.

According to one aspect of the invention, the sports application 126 mayprovide playback mode for adjustable speed and freeze-frame viewing, aswell as side-by-side comparison with prior swings of the player or withpre-saved ‘professional’swings. According to another aspect of theinvention, the impact force measurement received from the impactdetection device 106, can be displayed on the monitor screen alongsidean instant replay of the swing to enable the user to accurately gaugeand measure performance.

FIG. 11 shows an example of a portable camera device 108 with a displayscreen 1104 having an example user interface 1116, presented by thesports application 126, allowing user input of information relating touser specific settings. This example interface 1116 includes a panel1106 through which the name of the game whose sport motion needs to becaptured, may be selected from a listing and another panel 1108 throughwhich the time duration of the capture window may be entered and anotherpanel 1110 through which the through which the option for capturing theforce of impact can be selected. In addition, this user interface 1116includes “start” button 1112 and “stop” button 1114 that allow users toeither start or stop capturing the video image of the sport motion. Thesports application 126 will take the user inputs and executeaccordingly. The user selecting the “start” option, for example, maytrigger the sports application 126, to establish a wireless link withthe impact detection device 106. According to one aspect of theinvention, the sports application will send some of the configurationparameters to the impact detection device 106.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example portable camera device 108, a smartphone, having a camera 1202, a display and touch screen 1204, playing arecorded video of a tennis stroke. The video playback mode like slowmotion, pause and the like can be controlled by user interface control1206. 1208 is the video playback progress bar.

FIG. 13A-B illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which theimpact detection device 106 is attached to the sport equipment and tothe wrist using a strap. In an embodiment of the invention, the impactdetection device 106 may be integrally and fixedly incorporated into orreleasably attached to a sport equipment 1302. In another embodiment,the impact detection device 106 may be integrally and fixedlyincorporated into or releasably attached to a strap 1302 to be put onthe sport equipment 1302 or player's wrist 1306.

With reference to FIG. 13A and 13B, the universal interface 316 isdepicted as a strap 1304 releasably secured to the sport equipment 1302or wrist of the player 1306.

FIG. 14 is an illustration of an universal interface 316 in the form ofa strap 1304 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Thestrap 1304 is adapted to be releasably secured to the sport equipment orwrist or clothing of a player. The strap 1304 may be flexible to fitaround the sport equipment or player's wrist, and may have a centralportion between first and second end portions. In one embodiment, thestrap 1304 may be molded out of a flexible polymeric material, such as,for example, polyurethane. Other materials, including, but not limitedto, rubber, plastic, TPU, cloth, leather, PU, silicon, metal, and/orother suitably flexible materials may be used. In one embodiment, thestrap 1304 may be injection molded. Flexible straps 1304 may be formedfrom inflexible materials such as, for example, a plurality of smallmetal rings or pieces linked together to form a mesh-like strap. Moretraditional metallic straps such as those commonly employed in wristwatches that are comprised of a series of interconnected members mayalso be employed. Other suitable manufacturing techniques may be used.

The strap 1304 may include fastening means 1402 for releasably securingthe strap 1304 around the sport equipment or wrist. In one embodiment, afastener 1402 may have one or more male and female components forsecuring the strap 1402 around the sport equipment like 1302 or wrist1306. The components of the fastener 1402 may be injection molded andintegrally formed with the strap 1304, or they may be separatecomponents. Multiple female components may be provided along the lengthof strap 1304 so that the strap 1304 is adaptable to varying sportequipment and wrist sizes. One or more male components may be providedto engage with one or more of the female components. The strap 1304 mayadditionally include ridges 1404 to keep any overlapping first andsecond end portions of the strap 1304 in a relatively parallelconfiguration. The inner surface 1406 of the strap 1304 may includedimples and/or protuberances 1408 or other surface characteristics tolimit relative motion between the inner surface 1406 of the strap 1304and the sport equipment 1302 or player's wrist 1306.

Other fastening means 1402 may be used to releasably secure the strap1304 around the sport equipment 1302 or wrist 1306, including, but notlimited to, hook and loop fasteners (e.g., VELCRO®), snaps, buttons,buckles, clasps, magnets, or other suitable means. In one embodiment,the strap 1304 may not include fastening means 1402. In this embodiment,the strap may be made of a suitably elastic material such that the strap1304 may remain releasably secured around the sport equipment 1302 orwrist 1306 without fastening means. In another embodiment, the strap1304 may be a continuous loop racking first and second ends. Thecontinuous loop strap 1304 may be made of a suitably elastic materialsuch that the strap 1304 may stretch to pass over the sport equipment1302 or player's hand and thereafter contract to remain releasablysecured around the sport equipment or player's wrist 1306.

FIG. 15 shows an example of a circuit which can be employed to detectthe occurrence of impact and measure the impact force. The sensorcircuit shown in FIG. 15 are the core components of a 3-axisaccelerometer which provides an output signal that is a voltageproportional to the acceleration. The sensor element 306 is connected tothe processor 302. The conditioning electronics 312 comprises ofmultiplexer 1502, charge amplifier 1504 and analog to digital converter1506.

Those skilled in the art should appreciate that changes can be madewithin the description above without departing from the scope of theinvention.

The invention thus attains the objects set forth above, among thoseapparent from preceding description. Since certain changes may be madein the above apparatus and methods without departing from the scope ofthe invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the abovedescription or shown in the accompanying drawing be interpreted asillustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sport activity impact detection and imagerecording system comprising: an impact detection device comprising: amotion sensor for producing an electrical signal in response to impact;a monitoring circuit; a wireless transceiver for transmitting at leastone impact detection signal containing impact notification data; atleast one portable camera device comprising: a camera to capture a videoof the sports activity; a wireless transceiver to receive said impactdetection signal containing impact notification data from the impactdetection device; a processor that performs functions comprising:receiving the video from the camera; receiving the impact detectionsignal and processing the impact notification data from the wirelesstransceiver; saving a video in slow motion or normal speed;concatenating a plurality of the video to make a single video forpurposes of review, comment and sharing; saving the video in localmemory or on a server; saving the impact notification data along withthe video; executing an application program to allow interaction withthe camera, wireless transceiver and impact detection device; whereinupon detection of impact by the monitoring circuit, the impact detectiondevice transmits the impact notification data wirelessly; wherein the atleast one portable camera device upon receiving impact notification fromthe impact detection device can record a video of sport activity aroundthe time of impact; wherein the monitoring circuit comprises: an analogto digital converter to translate the signal provided by the motionsensor into a digital signal; a microprocessor performing one or morefunctions in a group comprising: run algorithms to detect impact;communicate the impact detection signal to the portable camera devicewirelessly; communicate user input to the portable camera devicewirelessly; wherein the impact detection is determined by a signal tonoise ratio of the input data provided by the analog to digitalconverter exceeding a specified threshold.
 2. The system of claim 1,wherein the impact detection device can be attached to a players body.3. The system of claim 1, wherein the impact detection device can beattached to the sports equipment.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein theduration of the video of sport activity taken before the time of impactis user configurable.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the duration ofthe video of sport activity taken after the time of impact is userconfigurable.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable cameradevice records video at a user configurable video frame rate.
 7. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the impact notification data being sentincludes one or more elements selected from a group comprising: time ofimpact; notification of impact detection; impact related information. 8.The system of claim 7, wherein the impact related information includesone or more elements selected from a group comprising: amplitude of theimpact; signal to noise ratio of the sensor signal generated from theimpact.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor operates on theimpact notification data and generates a performance value comprising:force value; speed; acceleration.
 10. The system of claim 7, wherein theimpact related information is saved along with the corresponding savedvideo.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one portablecamera device captures a still image at a plurality of user configurablepre-determined times around the time of impact.
 12. The system of claim11, wherein impact related information is saved along with the stillimages.
 13. The system of claim 1, wherein the signal to noise ratio isdetermined by: obtaining the signal which is an output of a movingaverage filter of an absolute value of an incoming signal whose absolutevalue exceeds a pre-determined threshold; obtaining the noise which isan output of the moving average filter of the incoming signal whoseabsolute value is below a pre-determined threshold; dividing the signalby the noise.
 14. The system of claim 1, wherein the application programrunning on the processor provides a user interface to execute one ormore functions in a group comprising: connect and disconnect to theimpact detection device; start and stop the video recording; review thecaptured videos; add comments after reviewing the video; edit and savesnippets of the captured video; compare videos; configure parts of thevideo to be shown in slow motion to allow detailed review of the useraction; edit and save captured still images; review the captured stillimages; compare still images; configuring the video frame rate;configuring whether to take the still images in addition to the video;configuring length of video capture; configuring plurality of times whenthe still image is taken.
 15. The system of claim 1, wherein the saidmotion sensor comprise of accelerometer; rate gyroscope; magnetometer.